F1610 History of US-Japan Relations
Shinohara Hatsue
Course description
This course has dual aims: On the empirical side it seeks to cover major events that took place between the U.S. and Japan in the twentieth century, whilst with regard to a theoretical and interpretative framework the class will focus on perspectives involving Foreign Policy and Diplomacy－how different entities communicate, negotiate and make compromises to promote their agendas or settle conflicts.
In the 1850s Japan, which had pursued a seclusion policy for two and half centuries, was opened up and introduced to the practice of international relations by the U.S. In a long historical perspective, their bilateral relations went through some upheavals over the period. This class will examine how the two countries developed their relationship, focusing upon four major cases and events: The Road to Pearl Harbor, the American Occupation of Japan, the Reversion of Okinawa, and the Security Initiatives in the mid-1990s. Through a historical examination of the bilateral relationship over the century, we can also learn something about Japan’s position in Asia and the world, because Japan’s postwar development, both political and economic, and Japan’s relations with Asian nations, cannot be fully grasped independently of her relationship with the U.S.
In order to pursue the aforementioned aim, we will situate our discussion and examination within a framework of Foreign Policy and Diplomacy. When a country plans and formulates certain policies concerning foreign affairs, it needs to consider various elements such as domestic and international determinants. When two or more countries get involved in negotiation to implement the policy, they carry out careful negotiations. For instance, the U.S. and Japan were conducting negotiations in the fall of 1941 to prevent war, but in the end their efforts were in vain. Why did they fail to reach agreement? To answer the question fully, it would be helpful to examine such concepts as the role of a diplomat, two-level game theory and so on.
In the end I hope that we can carry forward a discussion of what is required for good and successful Foreign Policy and Diplomacy to enhance an individual country’s interests and to contribute at the same time to international stability.
Learning outcome:
Students will learn about the major historical events and important issues affecting US-Japan relations in the twentieth century and will be able to consider the effect and implications of encounters between two different cultures. In addition, by establishing an overarching interpretative framework of¬ diplomacy that highlights foreign policy making based upon the interaction of the various elements and actors―leaders, the military, bureaucracy and public opinion―and a negotiation process between nations, students can also learn the complex and intricate nature of diplomacy, which is an essential social institution in the conduct of international relations.
Evaluation
Reading